Marketing Plan
For
Utility Bill Assistance Program
Funded By
City of Fort Bragg
With
Community Development Block Grant
HCD Contract Period: August 13, 2025 – August 12, 2028
Contract Expenditure Period: August 13, 2025 – May 12, 2028 Program Operation: October 2025 – April 2028 or until all funds are expended, whichever happens first.
This Marketing Plan assumes funds will be available through the entire expenditure period. Timeline should be adjusted based on actual funds available.
Phase 1: Predevelopment (August – October 2025)
Update Program Guidelines, Application Forms, and Marketing Materials Phase 2: Initial Program Roll-Out (October – December 2025) Publicly Noticed Public Hearing held at City Council
Publish Informational Flyers
Press Release
City Website
City Facebook
City Manager Round Up
Send Insert in City Utility Bills
New Billing
Late Billing
Shut-off Notices
Local Radio Advertisement
Local Utility Provider / Community Organization Outreach Inform of Program
Provide Applications / Flyers
Phase 3: Periodic Ongoing Outreach (January 2026 – April 2028) Tasks will typically be completed semi-annually; frequency will be adjusted based on response rate.
Announcements and/or Items at Public Meetings
Publish Informational Flyers
Press Release
City Website
City Facebook
City Manager Round Up
Send Insert in City Utility Bills
New Billing (periodically)
Late Billing (all)
Shut-off Notices (all)
Local Radio Advertisement
Local Utility Provider / Community Organization Outreach Provide Applications / Flyers
Phase 4: Targeted Outreach (October 2026 – April 2028)
Program staff will track the date assistance is provided to each recipient and may conduct targeted outreach by sending flyers to prior recipients highlighting the opportunity to apply for assistance a second time if needed after twelve months. This step will be taken if the rate of first-time applicants has slowed.
Targeted Flyers Sent to Prior Recipients
Mail
Email
General Informational Flyers Updated to Highlight Reapplication Opportunity Phase 6: Closeout (May – August 2028)
Closeout will begin May 2028 at the latest, sooner if funds are fully expended prior to May. Program achievements will be discussed at a publicly noticed public meeting.
Publicly Noticed Public Hearing held at City Council
Update Website